Vlade Djurovic Launches Scathing Attack on Navarro Following Derby Defeat: 'How Much Longer Does He Think This Can Go On?'

Partizan fully deserved the win because they led from start to finish; had Zvezda won, it would have been down to sheer luck. I must say, Navarro thoroughly disappointed me. First of all, he started with a lineup that wouldn't beat a single team in the ABA League—an experimental defensive group with neither a true center nor a point guard. Navarro has to realize that Jones is his best player and Nwora is his top scorer, followed by Ojeleye. They deserve proper roles and treatment. Bringing them on when you are already down 14 points, coming in completely cold, allowed Partizan to capitalize on the head start Zvezda handed them. Then you're stuck playing catch-up all game. I have no idea—and neither does Navarro—how Zvezda even found themselves in a position with a chance to win. Weiler-Babb played 11 minutes in the first half for three points, while Jones had 11 points in just eight minutes. Distributing minutes like that is simply incomprehensible. How long does he intend to keep doing this? Secondly, Carter is getting far more playing time than he should. Worst of all, every Partizan player found their rhythm as Zvezda conceded easy baskets. Whoever checked into the game scored. So many points surrendered, uncontested layups, no interior defense, wide-open threes, no containment off the dribble—absolutely nothing was defended. The team was terribly prepared, in complete contrast to Penarroya. Ojeleye and Izundu went to the free-throw line the most. Every time Ojeleye touched the ball, he got fouled because they knew he wouldn't shoot 2-for-2. Everyone knows Jones drives to his right, yet every time he went right, he scored. Suddenly, Partizan piled up 52 points in a single half. That defense looked completely dysfunctional, sparking a frantic chase and total agony. If Nwora hadn't sparked that scoring run... you simply cannot consistently erase 15- or 20-point deficits when treated like that. The moment Jones misses one shot, he gets pulled, and starting that particular lineup irritated Zvezda's fanbase, not just me. This was a crucial match that could have put them at 5-2, and he threw it away so nonchalantly. Honestly speaking, Navarro is the one to blame for Zvezda's loss. - Vlade Djurovic

I know exactly what went on during that timeout. The play was drawn up as: 'Chris, they know you're taking the final shot, go make a fake towards Butler, and then he'll take it.' Butler wanted to shoot, but his defender was two and a half meters away, so he kicked it out to Kramer, and had the shot clock not expired, he wouldn't have converted. That was a bizarre decision. It shows a complete lack of faith in a player—who was it that decided the game against ASVEL? If I were in his shoes, I would ask to leave. Before taking that late shot, Weiler-Babb missed from barely a meter out. How does something like that happen? What Jones did was pure basketball quality; before that, he drove left. Huge credit to Hayes as well for stepping up. There is no question about it: you have to establish who runs the floor. Everyone knows who leads Partizan, while here, a player misses once and gets benched immediately. How are we supposed to know who the leader is at Zvezda? Some might think it's Moneke, but he never will be. Moneke will have plenty more games like this. Whenever he plays well, all the reporters swarm him because of his flamboyant personality, and the papers are packed with his quotes. Nwora is Zvezda's top scorer, so draw up some plays for him and give him the respect he deserves. Navarro says they lacked the right approach, but why start with that lineup and disrespect Partizan in the first place? Someone sharp over there surely said: 'Look at their starting five, they're taking us lightly—let's break them.' And break them they did, leading 52-38 at the break. That is why I say he is at fault. He is very diplomatic and gives polished statements, which is all well and good, but it doesn't fool anyone who truly knows basketball. You are playing your eternal rival and starting with a lineup that has never shared the floor. Within 10 minutes, even Spartak, Igokea, or Borac Cacak would have led by that margin. Especially against Weiler-Babb, they would have torn them apart. - Vlade Djurovic